'If Local Universities Innovate, 100 Billion KRW Over 4 Years'... Local Governments Foster 'Meggi' for Co-Growth

'100 Billion Won Support' Glocal Universities, Outline Around June... 30 Selected by 2026
June Preliminary Designation → September Final Designation → October Selection Plan

The Ministry of Education has finalized a plan to select 30 regional universities that will lead the co-growth of local communities and universities through bold innovation, providing each school with 100 billion KRW over five years. Initially, 10 universities will be selected this September, with additional universities chosen over the following four years.

On the 18th, the Ministry of Education and the Glocal University Committee held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office to finalize and announce the 'Glocal University 30 Promotion Plan' containing these details.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Education decided to designate universities with innovation plans as 'Glocal Universities' to flexibly respond to the declining school-age population and rapid industrial structural changes, and to nurture talent tailored to local communities, providing each school with 100 billion KRW over five years.

The Ministry recently released a draft and held a public hearing, and in response to opinions emphasizing the need to produce results promptly, the plan to select project target universities over five years was shortened to four years.

Accordingly, the Glocal University Committee and the Ministry of Education plan to select 30 universities over four years: 10 in 2023, 10 in 2024, 5 in 2025, and 5 in 2026.

The selected universities will be designated as 'Specialized Regional Universities' under the 'Regional University Promotion Act.'

The Ministry of Education plans to boldly improve regulations that hinder university innovation and allow Glocal Universities to receive benefits first for the improvements they propose through their project proposals.

Based on this support, each Glocal University will pursue mid- to long-term innovation strategies to achieve co-growth by forming partnerships with local governments and regional industries.

The Ministry will review the annual implementation plans and achievement of targets for Glocal Universities and conduct more rigorous performance evaluations in the third and fifth years.

The extent of each university's contribution to the local industry and economy will also be analyzed and disclosed.

If a university fails to implement the plan or shows insufficient performance, support may be suspended or project funds reclaimed after review.

This year, preliminary designation applications will be accepted until May 31, and about 15 preliminary designated universities will be announced in June.

Considering the preparation burden on universities, preliminary designation applications will be based on innovation plans within five pages.

Preliminarily designated universities must then jointly develop detailed implementation plans for their innovation proposals with local governments and regional industries and submit them through metropolitan local governments.

The implementation plans must clearly define the roles among universities, local governments, and industries, and include how human and material resources will be linked and utilized. Results from gathering opinions of university members must also be submitted.

The Glocal University Committee and the Ministry of Education plan to select about 10 Glocal Universities by September through evaluation and review.

Kim Jung-su, Chairperson of the Glocal University Committee, stated, "We will designate universities that pursue innovation recognized by all universities through strict and fair procedures as Glocal Universities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.